Trailing Edge Device with Bell Crank Mechanism

ABSTRACT

A bell crank mechanism is configured to at least indirectly link any movement of an aircraft wing spoiler-like hinge panel to the movement of an aircraft wing trailing edge flight control device. The aircraft wing is configured to be fixed to and to extend from an aircraft fuselage, the wing including a leading edge and a trailing edge. The flight control device is attached to the trailing edge, and any movement of the control device is directly subject to an aircraft input controller. The moveable aerodynamic hinge panel is situated proximally to the control device, and the hinge panel is separately attached to the trailing edge. As configured, the bell crank mechanism assures that any hinge panel motion is slaved to the control device in a manner intended to optimize aerodynamic performance and efficiency.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to aircraft flight control structures and more specifically to apparatus configured for slaving the motion of a spoiler-like control device, such as a hinge panel, to that of a trailing edge control device.

BACKGROUND

Various control devices are used to effectively and efficiently maneuver aircraft during various phases of flight. Some control devices are directly attached to wings of an aircraft, such as ailerons adapted for controlling “roll”, i.e. the rotational movement of an aircraft about its longitudinal axis. Spoilers may also be directly attached to aircraft wings to rapidly reduce wing lift when and as desired, particularly during various descent phases of a flight. Flaps are typically also attached directly to the wings to change their aerodynamic shapes for assuring stable flight control during slower speeds, such as during takeoff and landing phases of flight.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic view of a wing 10, attached to a fuselage 12, the wing and fuselage together depicting a portion of an aircraft 14 configured in accordance with the described related art. The wing 10 has a forward or leading edge 15 which may include deployable slats 16, as yet another wing control device. The wing also has a trailing edge 17 that includes outboard ailerons 18 and outboard flaps 20. The trailing edge 17 may also include inboard ailerons 22 and inboard flaps 24. As noted earlier, the ailerons are used for roll control of the aircraft 14, while the flaps are utilized to enhance lift control at lower speeds, e.g. for takeoffs and landings.

In some instances, the effective deployment of flaps may require translational movements in addition to their normal downward angular movements from stowed positions for creating spaces and/or gaps that need to be controlled for purposes of aerodynamic efficiency. Thus, arrows 26 and 28 indicate the directions, when deployed, of rearward translational movements of outboard flaps 20 and inboard flaps 24, respectively. Typically, ailerons, including the inboard aileron 22 require no translational movement, as do the dedicated flaps 20, 24.

The translational movement or extensions of outboard and inboard flaps 20, 24 of the convergent wing design of the aircraft wing 10 of FIG. 1 would pose an issue of angular interference, if the respective flaps were immediately adjacent each other. Such interference is avoided, however, by portion of the wing 10 that includes the inboard aileron 22, which is positioned between the flaps 20, 24 and involves no translational deployment.

In large turbofan jet aircraft, the functions of a flap and at least an inboard aileron may often be combined into a single or unitary control device called a flaperon. Since both flaps and ailerons are usually attached to the trailing edges of the aircraft wings, flaperons are also likewise attached. Thus, referring now to FIG. 2, the inboard aileron 22 of the aircraft 14 is shown attached to the trailing edge 32 of the wing 10, as shown at an interface 30 of the leading edge 34 of the inboard aileron 22. It should be noted that the inboard aileron 22 may be rotated about a hinge axis 38 into a rigid downward position 22″ (shown in phantom); i.e. deployed from the stowed position shown to a fixed angle along the downward arc of angle B, to function solely as a flap, even though without a gap, since at relatively slower speeds, i.e. during takeoff and landing, the outboard ailerons may be solely relied upon to effectively control roll of the aircraft 14.

Since the inboard aileron 22 also function as a flap, in aviation parlance such control device is also called a “flaperon”, to the extent that it may be called upon to selectively perform both aileron or flap functions, depending on circumstances and/or phases of flight.

When functioning as an aileron, the so-called flaperon 22 is rotated upwardly along arc A from its stowed position as shown, up to and including a limit position 22′ (shown in phantom), to the extent that a functional aileron must be free to move both upwardly and downwardly. Conversely, the flaperon 22 may be rotated downwardly along arc B from its stowed position, down to and including a limit position 22″ (also shown in phantom). Finally, the trailing edge 32 of the wing 10 incorporates an aft-facing cove 36, a volume or space in which the leading edge 34 of the flaperon may rotate in close proximity, as depicted in FIG. 2 at the interface 30.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the flap 24 may also be capable of acting as an aileron, and thus as a flaperon. Therefore, the flap 24 may also be variously called a flaperon 24. However, because deployment of the flaperon 24 may involve a translational extension, the physical structure involved in its deployment must accommodate translational in addition to pivotal movement. In the related art structure shown, deployment of the flaperon 24 utilizes a cam track mechanism 42 secured within the trailing edge 32 of the wing 10 to provide a functional connection that supports both angular and translational movement of the flaperon 24 relative to the wing 10. A hinge panel 40, configured for management of aerodynamic air gaps created during the extension aspect of deployment of the flaperon 24 is also coupled to the structure of the cam track mechanism to assure desired angular positioning.

Several challenges are presented by such structures adapted to satisfactorily accommodate both angular and translational motion, including the need to assure requisite fail-safe strength and robustness under occasional extreme loads, such as those associated with turbulence and other phenomena routinely encountered in flight. As such, the cam track mechanism 42 includes relatively heavy cam tracks 44 that define paths for cam track rollers 48 that are directly secured to roller links 46. Use of the cam track mechanism 42 has also necessitated the use of a technology called “fusing”, for assuring safety in the event of “jamming” of any of the track rollers 38. Since jamming is an issue to be avoided at all costs, at least two roller links are typically riveted together in a cam track-style mechanism 42 (FIG. 3) for appropriate safety redundancy. Such links are designed to fail in a predictable manner, necessitating additional weight that would be preferably avoided.

Thus, it is desirable to provide a novel structure to accommodate both angular and translational movements of flaperons, but wherein such structure can retain robustness and yet be lighter in weight, in the face of increasingly stringent aircraft design requirements.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an aircraft wing is configured to be fixed to, and to extend from, an aircraft fuselage, the wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The trailing edge includes an attached aerodynamic control device, the movement thereof subject an input controller. A moveable aerodynamic hinge panel is proximal to the aerodynamic control device, the hinge panel being separately attached to the trailing edge, and a bell crank mechanism is configured to link movement of the hinge panel directly to movement of the control device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a bell crank mechanism is secured to an aircraft wing, the wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge. An aerodynamic control device is attached to the trailing edge, and a moveable aerodynamic hinge panel, separately attached to the trailing edge, is positioned proximally to the aerodynamic control device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a bell crank mechanism includes a plurality of links serially coupled together, each link having a pivot coupling at each end configured to join each link to an adjacent link via one of the pivot couplings, albeit without use of any cam tracks or rollers. As such, the bell crank mechanism is configured to link movement of the aerodynamic control device to movement of the hinge panel for slaving the motion of the hinge panel to that of the trailing edge device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of slaving motion of a hinge panel to that of a trailing edge device includes steps of providing a bell crank mechanism having a center link that includes a center pivot coupling; pivotally securing the center pivot coupling to an aircraft wing trailing edge structural member; providing a flap link, and fixing the flap link to extend from the trailing edge device to a first end of the center link of the bell crank mechanism. The method also includes providing a hinge panel link, and connecting the hinge panel link to extend from a hinge panel to a second end of the center link, as well as providing an actuator to pivotally move the links of the bell crank mechanism, and to thereby control movement of the hinge panel.

The features, functions, and advantages disclosed herein can be achieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined in yet other embodiments, the details of which may be better appreciated with reference to the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a wing of a commercial aircraft configured in accordance with the related art.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary schematic elevation view of an inboard aileron of the commercial aircraft of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of a cross-section of an inboard flap of the commercial aircraft of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of a cross-section of an inboard flap constructed in accordance with a described embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of a cross-section of the same inboard flap constructed in accordance with a described embodiment of the present disclosure, albeit shown in a different position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the same inboard flap of FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting relationships among various aircraft components of the present disclosure.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and that the disclosed embodiments are illustrated only schematically. It should be further understood that the following detailed description is merely exemplary and not intended to be limiting in application or uses. As such, although the present disclosure is, for purposes of explanatory convenience, depicted and described in only the illustrative embodiments presented, the disclosure may be implemented in numerous other embodiments, and within various other systems and environments not shown or described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is intended to provide both apparatus and methods for carrying out the disclosure. Actual scope of the disclosure is as defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 4 is an elevational cross-section view of an inboard flap 124 constructed in accordance with one described embodiment of the present disclosure. The inboard flap 124, shown in an upward position while functioning as a flaperon, is relatively movable with respect to the trailing edge 132 of the wing 110 by a bell crank mechanism 150. The bell crank mechanism 150 effectively comprises a pair or series of four-bar linkages to integrate control of the flap 124 and an otherwise separately movable hinge panel 140, thus eliminating the need for the related art cam track mechanism 42 described above.

Continuing reference to FIG. 4, a support header (also generally and commonly called a rib) 160 is a vertically oriented structural member within an interior space 161 of the flap 124. Typically there are a number of such support headers fixed in a parallel, spaced array. In the described embodiment the wing 110, at least two of such support headers 160 of each wing 110 includes an integral flap extension flange 162. Each of the flap extension flanges 162 is coupled directly to a single bell crank mechanism 150. Both bell crank mechanisms 150, 152 (FIG. 6) of each wing 110 operate in concert, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. As such, only one of the two mechanisms, i.e. bell crank mechanism 150, will be described herein.

The flap extension flange 162 is coupled via a coupling joint 164 to a bottom or flap link 166. At the forward end of the link 166 is a coupling joint 168 which pivotally secures the link 166 to a center link 170. At an intermediate portion thereof, the center link 170 is fixed to and rotates about a fixed coupling joint 172, which is secured to a support header 174, which is an integral part of the trailing edge 32 the wing 110.

An upper coupling joint 176 of the center link 170 is configured to couple with an upper link 178. It will be appreciated that the latter provides a first, indirect connection to the hinge panel 140. The upper link 178 includes a forward coupling joint 180 adapted to connect directly to hinge panel link 182 (shown in phantom, since hidden behind support structures within the trailing edge 132). A forward coupling joint 184 of the hinge panel link 182 provides a direct connection to a hinge panel support header 186, a structural support member of the hinge panel 140, as depicted.

The described elements, including all links and coupling joints (i.e., connections) are maintained in FIG. 5, wherein the inboard flap 124 is shown deployed downwardly, in either a flap or flaperon configuration, as already described. Be noted that the center link 170 pivotally connected to, but translationally fixed to the trailing edge 132, for supporting only pivotal movement of the center link relative to the trailing edge. For this purpose, the center link 170 has three connecting joints i.e. coupling joint 168 at one end thereof, shared with the flap link 166, the fixed coupling joint 172 at its center, about which it is pivotally secured to the support header 174, and the upper coupling joint 176, shared with the forward hinge panel link 182.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in order to support movement of the bell crank mechanism 150 for its resultant movement of the flap 124 relative to the trailing edge 132, there must be an additional pivotally fixed connection between the flap 124 and the trailing edge 132. Although that connection is not shown herein, since not part of the direct bell crank linkage system, such a connection would be physically positioned generally below the pivot coupling joint 164 in the described embodiment.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a perspective view of the flap or flaperon 124 depicts the use of dual bell crank mechanisms 150 along with spaced dual cooperating actuators 200 and 202. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the actuator, at least in this described embodiment, is a device responsible for actual deployment, hence movement of the flap 124 relative to the trailing edge 132 between its limits, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 provides a flowchart depicting the relationship of the aircraft input controller 190 to the actuators 200, 202. To the extent that the actuators are directly connected to and engaged with the bell crank mechanisms 150, 152 (two per wing in the disclosed embodiment), and are thus configured to move all of the afore-described bell crank linkages in the described manner, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that primary or direct control of the trailing edge device 124 is an intended response of the aircraft input controller 190, as described in detail herein. On the other hand, the input controller 190 is configured to provide a secondary or indirect control of the hinge panel 140 via a bell crank mechanism 150, 152, thus causing a slaved or follower movement of the hinge panel 140.

Finally, a method of causing a hinge panel (or other spoiler-like structure) to follow the movement of a trailing edge device includes steps of providing a bell crank mechanism having a center pivot coupling pivotally secured to a structural member of a trailing edge of an aircraft wing, and fixing a first or flap link to extend from the flap to a first end of the bell crank mechanism. The method further includes utilizing a second or hinge panel link extending from a hinge panel to a second end of the center pivot coupling, and providing an actuator to move the flap and thereby directly control movement of the hinge panel through the motion of the bell crank mechanism.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the structures described, including the various links 166, 170, 178, and 182, may offer numerous benefits over the described cam track mechanism 42 of the related art. Not only is a cam track weight penalty avoided, but above-described fusing requirements can be avoided as well. Among additional benefits are reduction in manufacturing complexity associated with cam track mechanisms, and avoidance of issues inherent to cam track mechanisms, including gouging or fracture damage, and/or imposition of increased loading on structures, from deleterious accumulations of wear particle debris within cam track surfaces, for example.

In addition, the disclosure may also cover numerous additional embodiments. For example, the lengths of each link may be adjusted to support various aerodynamically distinct flight circumstances and/or surface geometries for minimizing interference drag coefficients, including those related to skin friction, parasitic and separation drag, as well as wave drag. As such, particular forms and shapes of the links, for example, can be tailored to optimize variously desired gaps controlled by the hinge panel for management of and for optimizing flight performance characteristics. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An aircraft wing configured to be fixed to and extend from an aircraft fuselage, the wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge; an aerodynamic control device attached to the trailing edge, and an input controller, wherein movement of the control device is subject to the input controller; a moveable aerodynamic hinge panel proximal to the aerodynamic control device, the hinge panel separately attached to the trailing edge; a bell crank mechanism configured to link movement of the hinge panel directly to movement of the control device.
 2. The aircraft wing of claim 1, wherein the bell crank mechanism provides direct control of the aerodynamic control device and indirect control of the hinge panel.
 3. The aircraft wing of claim 1, wherein the bell crank mechanism includes a center link pivotally connected to, but translationally fixed to, the trailing edge, for supporting only pivotal movement of the center link relative to the trailing edge.
 4. The aircraft wing of claim 3, wherein the center link has three connecting joints including a center pivot coupling positioned intermediately between opposed ends of the center link, the center pivot coupling being fixed to the trailing edge for permitting the pivotal movement of the center link relative to the trailing edge.
 5. The aircraft wing of claim 4, wherein the bell crank mechanism further includes a flap link and hinge panel link, and wherein the opposed ends of the center link are each pivotally coupled to one end of the flap and hinge panel links respectively via separate pivot couplings.
 6. The aircraft wing of claim 1, wherein the aerodynamic control device is a flaperon.
 7. The aircraft wing of claim 1, wherein the input controller causes motion of the bell crank mechanism through an actuator.
 8. The aircraft wing of claim 1, further comprising at least two bell crank mechanisms.
 9. A bell crank mechanism secured to an aircraft wing, the wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and having an aerodynamic control device attached to the trailing edge, and a moveable aerodynamic hinge panel proximal to the aerodynamic control device, the hinge panel being separately attached to the trailing edge, wherein the bell crank mechanism comprises: a plurality of links serially coupled together, each link having a pivot coupling at each end configured to join each link to an adjacent link via one of the pivot couplings; wherein the bell crank mechanism is configured to link movement of the aerodynamic control device to movement of the hinge panel for slaving the motion of the hinge panel to that of the trailing edge device.
 10. The bell crank mechanism of claim 9, further providing direct control of the aerodynamic control device and indirect control of the hinge panel.
 11. The bell crank mechanism of claim 9, further comprising a center link pivotally connected to, but translationally fixed to the trailing edge, for supporting only pivotal movement of the center link relative to the trailing edge.
 12. The bell crank mechanism of claim 11, wherein the center link has three connecting joints including a center pivot coupling positioned intermediately between opposed ends of the center link, the center pivot coupling being fixed to the trailing edge for permitting the pivotal movement of the center link relative to the trailing edge.
 13. The bell crank mechanism of claim 12, further including a flap link and hinge panel link, and wherein the opposed ends of the center link are each pivotally coupled to one end of the flap and hinge panel links respectively via separate pivot couplings.
 14. The bell crank mechanism of claim 9, further including an actuator configured to impart motion to the links thereof.
 15. The bell crank mechanism of claim 14, wherein the actuator is directly controlled by an aircraft input controller.
 16. The bell crank mechanism of claim 13, further comprising a second hinge panel link.
 17. The bell crank mechanism of claim 16, wherein the second hinge panel link is coupled directly to the hinge panel.
 18. The bell crank mechanism of claim 16, wherein the first hinge panel link has opposed ends coupled respectively to the center link and the second hinge panel link.
 19. A method of slaving motion of a hinge panel to that of a trailing edge device, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bell crank mechanism having a center link that includes a center pivot coupling; pivotally securing the center pivot coupling to an aircraft wing trailing edge; providing a flap link, and fixing the flap link to extend from the trailing edge device to a first end of the center link of the bell crank mechanism; providing a hinge panel link, and connecting the hinge panel link to extend from a hinge panel to a second end of the center link, and providing an actuator to pivotally move the links of the bell crank mechanism, and to thereby control movement of the hinge panel.
 20. The method of claim 19, in which the bell crank mechanism includes both first and second hinge panel links. 